Plenary Minutes

Summary

Plenary was held at 7pm on September 24th. There were two new aspects of Plenary added this year. We began the event with student performances show casing some of the amazing groups that are run through our SGA. We also used a new system of voting called voxvote that allowed us to vote online and therefore make the voting time much more efficient. The first five resolutions passed, including changing the SGA mission statement, making the SAAC position co-held, eliminating Robert’s rules of order, creating a new e-board position, and making the appointed committee heads part of the representative council. One resolution, regarding animals in the health center, was tabled. And one resolution ended being resolved independent of SGA.

Performances

Quorum was reached around 7:20

Discussion

Alisha Clark ‘18: Wow can we just give one more applause for all of the performers. Wow I think we are on schedule for being the fastest plenary. Did you guys get a chance to download Voxvote. This is going to be a very casual plenary. It is in lieu of our regular SGA meeting. If you have been to one of my meetings you know that I like too keep things informal so that things are able to keep moving. We want to get out of here fast so if you have a question about grammar or punctuation please email me sga@brynmawr.edu and cc the resolution writer about it. Do not use the mics for these questions.

*Opening the app and instructing others to do so *

The code is 12600. Do not share this with anyone outside of Plenary, please follow the honor code with this.

If you do not have the physical copy of the packet please use the one online this year we are trying to go green and not have as many packets. So we will be reading it but you can follow along with us.

Resolution 1:

Nanda will be presenting this resolution with me. This one has to do with SGA’s Mission.

Rewording the Mission of SGA | Presented by: SGA E-Board

Summary: The Constitution of Bryn Mawr’s Self Government Association is a living document that works to serve the needs of the Bryn Mawr undergraduate community. However at this time in order for the Self Government Association to serve this purpose and represent the community in its entirety, the mission of the Association as well as the many structural facets of representation and leadership must be updated.

Whereas Article I, Section I, Subsection A the mission of Bryn Mawr’s Self Government Association reads “The purpose of SGA shall be the governance of the undergraduate student body.”

Whereas the student body is not being currently represented wholly by the constitution or the association as it is now written.

Whereas the previous mission statement only encapsulated the most basic of function and did not consider inclusivity and continuous change

Whereas the voices of marginalized communities on campus have been historically and are currently silenced.

Whereas SGA is not being properly used to address the concerns and demands of students

Whereas SGA has the potential to be a representative voice for all students on campus in every of aspect of college life and this platform needs to be utilized fully in order to enact the change that students deem necessary

Be it resolved that Article I, Section I, Subsection A read “The purpose of SGA is to center the needs of the students and to uplift the voices of marginalized communities.”

Alisha Clark ’18: This is going to be the first time voting, get your apps open go to the link.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: Opening it up for discussion, we will wait one minute to see if anyone has comments and then we will open up the voting. Make sure that when you come up to the mic that you say your name and class year. We will have a minute for people to come up to the mics before we move to voting.

We are starting, you all have a minute to vote. The question should present on your screens.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: If it is not working on the app you need to close out and reopen it. Or you can go to the link.

Just a quick question as to weather we are having a test vote at all?

Nanda Bhushan ’19: No

Okay not enough people votes only 395 so we are going to do the vote again. We understand that everyone is getting the hang of it.

If you have questions please come up to the mic.

Ann ‘18: I just want to let you all know that most of the trouble that we are having with the app is because of the Wi-Fi not because we are technologically inept.

Una Girgua ‘20: We are all trying to get it to open on the app. You should all use the link, even on your phone it works better. Go to voxvote.com and use it from there.

Alisha Clark ‘18: It is registering that 645 users are connected. I need everyone to focus on voting if you I can make the time for each resolution is for 2 minutes and not for 1 minute. Just give me a second to fix that.

Hannah Zamore ’19: Historically we have been able to make sure that everyone is able to vote if they so choose, how can we do that with this app and with the 1 minute window?

Alisha Clark ‘18: Social Honor Code is run though this app. If you aren’t able to vote right now we are way over quorum and so it should enable enough people to vote. As long as we have 446 I am moving on. We have well over, we are doing great right now.

Those who are having app trouble please use the link.

‘20: Can you get rid of the timer is that a thing we can do?

Alisha Clark ‘18: No it would take to long so we are stopping at 2, 2 minutes that’s it

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: Basically the app restricts us from having no time at all, voting usually takes place within 2 minutes. Also to answer Hannah’s question we can refresh a question at any time. To ensure that people can vote.

Kate Hawthorne ’19: If you are having issues raise your hands so that the people in your section can come and help you.

‘19: Can you guys announce a 30 second left window.

Rachel Bruce ‘18: A few of my people got a message that it was the end of the event.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: that was just to make the changes it will come back.

Alisha Clark ‘18: It is the same number 12600 and I am going to start it now. You guys ready? Its starting, you guys have 2 minutes.

Nanda Bhushan ’19: Once again if the question is not appearing close the app or use the link.

Hannah Symonds ’19: for a lot of people the question is not coming up.

Alisha Clark ‘18: Exit out of the app and restart, or use the link.

30 seconds!

First resolution passes 87.8%

Nanda Bhushan ’19: Sorry to those for whom the app is not working I am sure it will get better as we trouble shoot this, continue to tell the volunteers in your section.

Summary: The nature of Robert’s Rules of Order does not allow for the student body to fully understand the amendments being proposed or the issues being discussed. The rhetoric of Robert’s Rules of Order is inaccessible and does not allow for fluid discourse and productive decision-making. This resolution allows room for each E-Board to decide on a procedure that works best for the student body.

Whereas Section 2 reads “The Assembly may adopt as its parliamentary authority the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised”.

Whereas the rhetoric of Robert’s Rules of Order is inaccessible and does not allow for fluid discourse and productive decision making

Whereas the nature of Robert’s Rules of Order does not allow for the student body to fully understand the amendments being proposed or the issues being discussed

Whereas the terminology used during Plenary and other SGA meetings is antiquated

Whereas Section IV, Section 3 Subsection D states “at the beginning of each semester the rep-co shall vote on an established meeting procedure to be followed for the duration of the executive board” creates a precedent for the meeting structure to be reviewed alongside the structure of Plenary

Be it resolved that Article II, Section 2 now read “The Assembly may adopt as its parliamentary authority the Social Honor Code”.

Alisha Clark ‘18: we are now opening it up for discussion

Swati Shastry ‘18: We have one-minute discussion.

Katie Billings ’19: I have a question what does it mean when you say you will use the social honor code. Because the social honor code is not a parliamentary code?

Swati Shastry ’18: Basically we are getting rid of Robert’s Rules of Order because people don’t know Roberts rules of order, so it makes it really difficult for people to understand what is going on in the meetings and other SGA events. So what we mean is that it is the things that come with the social honor code such as respect, listening, and communication are the basis. Replacing with respect for your peers. It isn’t a formal parliamentary order.

Katie: I just don’t understand how that translates to saying your name and other things like that, like timing and things. I just don’t understand.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: its confusing because even Roberts rules is so confusing like saying your name and class year that isn’t a part of it that is just something that we do at Bryn Mawr at social events. It is more formal wording such as saying whereas, decorum, motions or phrases like that. Juniors and seniors don’t have to be using this way of speaking that were used to, we can just speak normally. It will help this be a space with more of an open dialogue.

Carolyn Cannizarro ‘19: because the primary problem part seems to be the archaic language, is there a reason that we don’t just change the language while keeping the structure?

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: That is pretty much what we are doing. We are still having some of Roberts rules were not dismantling it completely but just doing away with some parts of it. You can still use it if you want for the resolutions or in other ways, but we are not enforcing it.

Katie Billings: If it is still an option why isn’t it in the Plenary packet this year?

Alisha Clark ’19: It is in the pdf format. It is a hyperlink.

Liv ’19: I am just wondering why we aren’t using it right now if the resolution had not been passed yet.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: I mean again, we did not think there was a necessity. We just wanted to make it more accessible.

Liv ’19: I just don’t know why the E-Board decided on it?

Alisha Clark ’18: The representative council decided on it.

Nanda Bhushan ’19:If you want to do a vote on using it right now we can, raise your hands if you are okay with not using Robert’s rules of order.

Hannah Symonds ‘19; My understanding is that it also has some things in it about time and how to extend time. If we are using the social honor code which says nothing about that structure for this how are we going to decide.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: that is a good question. We are going to keep certain times. Basically we can follow it but we don’t have to. If you want to extend time it will be up to the student body to decide the ways.

Caitlin Haskett ‘20: If we are still sticking with the time limits and basic structure why does it not say that in the packet, because I feel that this is vital information.

Nanda Bhushan ’19: We are going to be able to work on the ways that the resolutions will be implemented, so you can contact us and work on that editing, resolutions always change a little bit after they have been passed.

Charis Nandor ‘19: I am a little bit concerned about the way that this was being run, because as someone for whom the app did not work you directly said that you don’t care about the students for whom the app is not working that our votes don’t matter as long as there are enough people that vote. And I do not think that is really acceptable for the president of the self government association.

Alisha Clark ’18: So of course everyone’s voice here matters, but what I really need is a third of the student body to actually vote. I want all of you guys to come to the weekly meetings. Since I have been president I have been asking for that, I have been inviting people to the meetings every week. Whenever you guys send emails I answer them but what I am saying is for this to be productive and efficient time wise, I would like to keep to the schedule. And I want all of the resolutions to be passed, last plenary it didn’t work. And I care for all of the resolutions to be heard at least. You don’t have to say yes to them, you can say no.

Charis Nandor ’19: But we should have the ability to say no.

Alisha Clark ’18: Yeah you should.

Charis Nandor ’19: You did not as people if they were okay with using this rechnology.

Alisha Clark ’18: I actually did, I sent out emails and also at the SGA meetings we talked about it and voted on it. So I am sorry that you missed it but I actually did.

Nanda Bhushan ’19: If your device isn’t working we are really sorry and please tell the volunteers so that we are able to help you. But also your voice is important, please come to the meetings. We started voxvote there and it is much more efficient.

Azalia Sprecher Hidalgo ‘18: I support this resolution because, I am going to be honest throughout my entire time here I have never really understood the resolutions. Coming in freshman year I had no idea what whereas or motion to extend meant. I come from a low-income background, child of immigrants and I don’t know what Robert’s rules are. I do not understand it. For people like me I am the first person in my family to go to college maybe if someone had explained it before coming to Bryn Mawr, That would have been fine, but no one ever told me. I really want to be able to understand the resolutions or to write a resolution to know what SGA is actually doing. I wish I could go to more SGA meetings, I am not here to trash talk or amend, if this is making it more accessible than I am for this resolution.

Maureen McGrath ‘20: It seems like if we were to have this passed a lot of the decisions about procedure would be made kind of arbitrary. Like if people want to extend time for different amounts for things like that, if we don’t have something formal set up it can make some resolutions less fair than others.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: We try to present any change to the meetings and we will send out an email and so if you see our email and have an issue reach out. We want to have a time to talk about procedure and decide on it later, so that students are really able to give their input.

Haley Varnum ’19: First of all, awesome go you guys I think this is an awesome improvement. One of the good things about Roberts riles of order is that we can look up the exact rules. Can you guys have an updated section on the SGA website with these rules and update them as they change.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: Yes that is an awesome idea. We are actually creating a new more accessible website that also be a platform for student voice and that should be up for next semester and so and so we can include that in the new site.

Alisha Clark ‘18: are you guys ready to vote, it should work now that everyone knows how to do it. Make sure to ask your section counters if it does not.

Resolution passes 84.8%

Alisha Clark ‘18: Before the next presenters come up, you guys are doing great but I cannot really not condone snapping and clapping unless it is to be really upbeat about certain things. Plenary is a time just like SGA meetings for you to disagree and to agree and for us to work together but if you are doing it in an ugly way that can tear down people. And a lot of people have anxiety, I have anxiety, okay. We are here to support our peers to support SGA, we are here to lift eachother up, not to tear down.

Summary: Due to conflicts with athletics, extracurricular activities and other obligations may prevent the SAAC Representative from attending SGA meetings. Considering these conflicts, it may be more beneficial to make this representative position co-held.

Whereas, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (here in after referred to as SAAC) Representative serves as a member of the Representative Council.

Whereas, the SAAC Representative position currently may only be held by one individual.

Whereas conflicts with athletics, extracurricular activities and other obligations may prevent the SAAC Representative from attending SGA meetings.

Be it resolved, that the SAAC Representative position be co-held by two members of the SAAC Executive Board.

Summary: Each committee appointed by the Appointments Committee has a head that has not always been held accountable for the role of their respective committee. They are an extremely important part of SGA and the committees are an important part of the community. This resolution will allow more committee involvement in each SGA meeting by appointing at least one member from each committee as head and a part of the Representative Council.

Whereas currently all representative council members are chosen by election.

Whereas each committee appointed by the Appointments Committee has a head that has not been held accountable for the role of their respective committee.

Whereas incorporating these heads into Rep-Co will allow for more dedication action of representing the multifaceted nature of the student body

Whereas there needs to be more transparency with the committees so that students can use them as resources and understand the purpose of each committee.

Whereas the involvement in SGA does not encompass a large number of standpoints that come from the many committees that facilitate student involvement

Whereas the Appointments Committee is comprised of elected members who are entrusted with appointing the most qualified candidates.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: This is for the head of each committee to be on rep council.

Delia Landers ‘19: We did this resolution because we were both on the appointments committee and they are extremely important to SGA, and represent all facets of this campus. Having representation on actual rep co that makes these decisions would help increase transparency in these matters.

Nanda Bhushan ’18: Any questions please come up to the mics.

Ellen Wright ’19: This is just a request to enunciate and speak up because not everyone in the balcony can hear.

Alisha Clark ‘18: I pulled up the long f y’all need me to focus on something let me know I pulled up the link.

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: There are some non-essential committees such as Film Series so can we have a meeting to see if some of these committees can be excluded from this resolution.

Delia Landers ‘19: Kind of the purpose of this is that none of these committees are unessential, they host events all the time and receive funding from SGA. We want every committee and therefore aspect of the community to be represented at meetings.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: Appointments round is coming up we have something called committee review where I will sit down with each committee to see what events they are planning what their mission is and how they want to use their funding.

Nikki, Sam, Ryan: Speaking for me, I agree that this resolution is important because we go through the process of choosing people and knowing that these people will be held responsible is good because we expect that people will go to meetings and be in the loop

Nikitha ’19: Committees get updated yearly and it’s good that we can increase this by coming to SGA meetings.

Alisha Clark ‘18: This is a really long resolution so it’s okay if y’all didn’t have time to read it, it’s

Julia Castner ‘18: I’m wondering for committees that are figured up like a board situation how does that work? Can we have more of a rotating schedule.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: Yes also one thing the e-board was discussing was rotating people from each affinity groups. Any member of the e-board can come to sga meetings on a rotating schedule. So we will already have that system set up.

Summary: There is no specific position for ensuring all students are being represented and all voices, specifically those of color, are being heard. The Alliance of Multicultural Organizations has not been incorporated into the governing operations. This creates a demand for a new role centered on being a liaison between the Pensby Center and Representative Council.

Whereas there are currently only five Executive Board positions, and there is no specific position for ensuring all students are being represented and all voices, specifically those of color, are being heard.

Whereas many communities have not been represented on this campus

Whereas the Alliance of Multicultural Organizations has not been incorporated into the governing operations

Whereas issues of equality and social justice have not been consistently considered in the SGA procedure

Whereas SGA as a historically white institution needs a fixed position that works with the rest of the E-Board to correct the inter-generational formation of ignorance

Be it resolved that Article IV, Section 3, Subsection 3, read

Chair of the Social Justice and Equity.

The Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Committee shall be held by only one person at any one time.

The Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Committee should serve as a liaison between the Pensby Center and the Representative Council.

One of the primary functions of the Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Committee is to vote in the Representative Council meetings and to participate in achieving Representative Council’s long and short-term goals.

In order to accurately represent the Pensby Center, the representative must spend at least one hour every two weeks in conversation with the full time and/or student staff of the Pensby Center.

In addition to this, the representative acts as a liaison between the Diversity and Leadership Group and the assembly

The Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Committee is responsible for guiding the Executive Board and the Representative Council towards wider goals of diversity and inclusion.

Every semester the Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Committee will briefly present on the various talks, panels, and discussion groups that they convened including topic, number of participants, and ideas on how to build on this work in the years to come.

Shrive ’19: Question about the position , can they also meet with at least once a semester with all of the AMO groups.

Alisha Clark ‘18: There is an AMO coordinator. So we didn’t want to overstep boundaries there. I really want this person to be a part of SGA.

Madhu ’21 I have a question with one person being appointed to represent issues of equality and social justice as pertaining to communities of color on this campus, there are so many different communities of color on the campus, how could one person represent all of the different needs and opinions.

Alisha Clark ‘18: There is not a perfect answer to that, I encourage you to write another resolution or something in the future. I am working to make sure that SGA shows up, this is only the beginning.

Alexis ‘20: I think that one way to address this is that they could have a committee of people that come from different communities of color.

Alisha Clark ‘18: there could be a way to check on all different people, in a committee session. Because that is something that I do, I check in with the different people on my committee, other members of the E-Board check in with their respective committees as well. So we can incorporate that.

Caitlin Haskett ‘20: I completely agree with this resolution. It is very essential. I am also aware that the AMO includes multiple organizations who are not people of color. Is this specifically for only affinity groups of students of color or all affinity groups.

Alisha Clark ‘18: Of course it includes all AMO groups but we are wording this specifically because historically it has been the people of color who are being excluded in SGA. So we are showing Bryn Mawr that we are not afraid to use language like that. If your group is registered under AMO that falls under this role.

Summary: This Resolution serves to gain student support for the Bryn Mawr College Counseling Center to provide access to emotional support animals, specifically dogs, during counseling sessions.

Whereas, it is important that the college prioritizes mental health of students.

Whereas, many students do not utilize counseling services on account of lack of perceived effectiveness.

Whereas, emotional support animals are found to make therapy processes more enjoyable and helpful.

Whereas, the head of counseling services is working to bring in therapy dogs because she believes it will be helpful.

Be it resolved, counseling services may provide a dog during counseling sessions in the counseling center.

Reggie Jones is the director of the Counseling Center and has been trying to get emotional support dogs during therapy sessions. I’m trying to show student support for it so that we can show it to the executives of the school to show that this is something we are trying to implement. This might set a precedent for dogs around campus.

Please line up for questions, pro, and cons.

E ‘18: Would this dog be there all of the time because there are students who are afraid of dogs and I wonder if dogs are being locked up in an office all day?

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: I hypothesize that people would talk with her personal clients and see if they are comfortable with dogs. Reggie might leave her dog at home if they are uncomfortable with dogs. It wouldn’t be running around the entire health center I’m also kind of afraid of dogs. It’s possible that they could be in a different session. I think Reggie as a dog owner would know how much time her dog could stay inside.

ET ’18 So it would be need-based request?

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: Oh yeah.

Marget ’20: I am personally not a dog person, but I am someone who finds therapy animals highly useful. Would there be an opportunity for other forms of animals such as an or a cat or a rabbit? Dog isn’t necessarily the best option but the benefit is definitely there

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: I’m definitely more of a cat person. But this resolution would show student support for having some kind of animal present in the counseling session. Then it could move forward to including other animals. There was a survey asking if people were comfortable with having an animal.

Kate Crotty ’19: I don’t really expect you to respond to this – access services is already an incredibly inaccessible place on campus and students have a lot of difficulty communicating their needs on campus especially regarding ESAs

My fear is that they won’t let people get their prescription for an ESA if there are dogs available in the counseling center.

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: That’s fair, I am access services coordination and we are meeting with Deb Alder at Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 and we will definitely bring this up, because that would be really unfair.

Anne Shrek ’18: I’m for this resolution but I’m concerned of allergies because some people are deadly allergic to some breeds of dogs or cats or whatnot. What steps are we taking to ensure safety for people who like dogs in their heart but don’t want them near their physical body.

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: Reggies dog is hypoallergenic. I don’t know a lot about allergies. I would probably email Reggie and if I could get people who use the CC and have allergies that would conflict with dogs. Maybe that room specifically could not be used by people who cant be in the same room as the dog.

Rachel Elderson’19: How will we make sure that people who have dog phobias will still have access to the CC? How will be make sure that the space is still safe for people with these phobias. Phobias are very different from fears. But someone who has a phobia should still be able to access the center.

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: I would say email Reggie and bring these concerns to her. If you have a concern you should probably talk to her.

Sophia Brown ’19: This is more of a commentary on how the counseling center is working. Dogs are actually standard at most schools now and they have a procedure for how to work with students who have allergies of phobias so they do not come into contact with the dogs. We are in process of restructuring the health center – there is a student wellness center in the works. If this passes – that is something that’s going to be in consideration when they start building that space.

Alisha Clark ‘18: I can confirm that that is true I will send an email out after my Board of Trustees meeting to let you know when I will be presenting about this at the SGA meeting– you’re right.

Elizabeth Tramontana ’18: This is all going to be on a volunteer basis. It’s important that the CC stay affordable and I hope this doesn’t change the cost of going to a counseling session.

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: Reggie is brining in her own dog – so there won’t be any price increase.

Alisha Clark ‘18: Pro mic

Lauren ’21: I really like dogs and animals and I’m someone who is a huge advocate for mental health issues. I know personally that animals calm me down, and studies have shown that that emotional support that help lower your heart rate and calm you down. This has been beneficial for people dealing with mental health issues. It would make me feel more open to me going to the health center and looking for hope because there will be something comforting there.

Alisha Clark ’18: We are already down to one minute left in the discussion time, so if you could keep your comments short.

Tobi ’18: I have a con. This would be Reggie’s dog that she would be bringing. it This would be an added burden on the full time staff. Should there be a time that she would not want to do this anymore especially. This would be unfair for Reggie and for students who have some to rely on that surface

Sophia Bokhari ‘20: I think Reggie should think about that on her own. She is the one who asked me to present this resolution.

‘20: I just feel like we are not being given enough information as answers to our questions. I just don’t know how appropriate it is to vote on a resolution that we are not being given enough information about.

Alisha Clark ‘18: I appreciate that comment, if you ever feel like you do not have enough info you can abstain if you don’t like it you can say no.

Sam Moran ‘19: I personally have allergies and with the current set up that place is an onus on students who do. I would move to have this vote put off until we have more information or until the health center gives more info on the changes.

Motion to table

Phoebe Dopulos ‘19: seconded

Alisha Clark ‘18: we are voting to table it. We are going to do it via the old method of voting because we do not have enough of the vox votes set up to do a table vote and then an actual vote if we need to. And I need a photo anyway.

The votes are yes, no, and abstain

The resolution has been tabled.

Plenary is over.

Hannah Smallwood ‘20: As some of you may know my resolution as to change the 6 single person bathrooms that still had non gender neutral language in the dorms.. As part of this I was in communication with Angie sheets and she ended up being in communication with facilities. The reason it is not coming to a vote is because she said that it is only about making it consistent with the other gender neutral bathroom signage and so we do not need to put it to a vote. It is being changed regardless!

Kayla Patton ‘18: We are part of the E-Board of the Migrant Right’s Coalition. Formed after the Migration and Borderlands 360 last semester, to continue the work and conversation about migrant rights. These issues are really close to our community hearts. Meeting Dalton 2 Wednesday at 9pm. Email kpatton or rsalas about joining.

Daniela Lopez Lopez ‘19: We will be hosting an open forum next Sunday at 7 in the campus center. We want to be aware that as we talk about DACA we want to recognize the way that it effects our community as well. We will be hosting a confidential safe space for students to come in if they are daca recipients or are undocumented. You can send me a direct email at dlopezlope@brynmawr.edu and that will be completely confidential. I will tell you directly where and when this meeting is happening.

Nanda Bhushan ‘19: we know that the admin shows this as the only place for change but we want to let you know that this is not if you want to change something please come to us

Alisha Clark ‘18: send it to me and I will be able to bring it up with different administration or at the SGA meetings sga@brynmawr.edu